VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — In a video message made public Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared that his nation’s historically close economic relationship with the United States has transformed from an asset into a liability requiring immediate attention.
The 10-minute recorded statement outlined Carney’s administration’s plans to bolster Canada’s economy through diversified investment opportunities and expanded trade partnerships with nations beyond the U.S.
“The world is more dangerous and divided,” Carney stated. “The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression.
“Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses. Weaknesses that we must correct.”
According to Carney, trade restrictions implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump have negatively impacted Canadian workers in automotive and steel manufacturing sectors. He noted that Canadian companies are delaying investment decisions due to “the pall of uncertainty that’s hanging over all of us.”
Trump’s recent suggestions that Canada should join the United States as its 51st state have also frustrated many Canadian citizens.
Carney promised to provide regular communications to Canadians regarding his administration’s strategy to reduce economic dependence on the U.S.
“Security can’t be achieved by ignoring the obvious or downplaying the very real threats that we Canadians face,” he stated. “I promise you I will never sugarcoat our challenges.”
This isn’t Carney’s first discussion of shifting global power dynamics. The former central banking leader, who previously headed both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, gained international recognition in January during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he criticized economic intimidation tactics used by powerful nations against smaller countries.
Those comments prompted a sharp response from Trump.
“Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump responded following the speech. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
Carney’s latest remarks follow recent special election victories that secured his party a majority government, while opposition Conservative members pressure him to negotiate a new U.S. trade agreement—a key campaign promise from last year’s election.
The current North American Free Trade Agreement involving Canada, the U.S., and Mexico faces scheduled review in July.
In his video address, Carney detailed plans to bring new investments to Canada, expand clean energy infrastructure by 100%, and eliminate internal trade obstacles. He also highlighted increased defense expenditures, tax reductions, and housing affordability initiatives.
“We have to take care of ourselves because we can’t rely on one foreign partner,” he explained. “We can’t control the disruption coming from our neighbors. We can’t control our future on the hope it will suddenly stop.
“We can control what happens here. We can build a stronger country that can withstand disruptions from aboard.”
Carney dismissed the idea that waiting for the “United States will return to normal” represents a viable approach.
“Hope isn’t a plan and nostalgia is not a strategy,” he declared.
Carney emphasized Canada’s history as “a great neighbor” who supported the U.S. during conflicts including Afghanistan and both World Wars.
“The U.S. has changed and we must respond,” he concluded. “It’s about taking back control of our security, our borders and our future.”
